Psychology and mental health

Omnipotence, or the delusional aspect of ideology, in relation to love, power, and group dynamics

Article Abstract:

The psychoanalytic concept of omnipotence is related to the social dynamics of love, power and ideology, as was seen in the mass psychology of Nazi Germany under Hitler. Omnipotence is regarded as a defense mechanism based on early childhood feelings of magical wish-fulfillment. Individual psychological dynamics associated with illusions of omnipotence are transferred to the group, meaning that the group ideal is substituted for the ego-ideal, promoting a mass delusional ideology. The social dynamics has its basis in the family, where parental abuse of power is often rationalized by ideology.

Author: Lothane, Zvi

Publisher:Palgrave Macmillan, a Division of Macmillan Publishers Ltd.Publication Name:The American Journal of PsychoanalysisSubject:Psychology and mental healthISSN:0002-9548Year:1997

Social aspects, Analysis, Love, National socialism, Social psychology, Power (Social sciences), Political power

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Much ado about nothing? Revisionists and traditionalists choose an introductory English syllabus

Article Abstract:

Ideology is the primary decision criteria among revisionists and traditionalists for selecting introductory English syllabi. In the Western Canon debate, revisionist and traditionalist partisans were asked to select 15 books from a list of 50 for an introductory course, and 15 that they believe their counterparts will choose. Traditionalist select books that have long been considered parts of the canon as compared to revisionists. They exhibit more consistency in selection compared to revisionists. Revisionists judge traditionalists more accurately.

Psychology, idea technology, and ideology

Article Abstract:

Idea and object technologies are products of scientific development. Unlike objects, however, ideas can make considerable impact by spreading through a culture without being sensed or noticed. They can also influence people even when false so long as people believe them. These situations occur because some individuals, acting on the basis of their ideology, mistakenly arrange conditions that allow reality to correspond with ideology.